AN ASSEMENT OF AGRO FORESTRY PRACTICIES: THE CASE OF SEQUAR WALDIBA MONASTERY IN NORTH GONDAR

Abstract

Cultivating trees and agricultural crops in intimate combination with one another is an ancient practice that farmers have used throughout the world. The practice is very old, but the term is definitely new, it offers practical ways of applying various specialized knowledge and skills to the development of sustainable rural production system and recognized as a land use option in which agro forestry practice provide products, environmental services , socio-economic and other multiple benefits through resisting deforestation ,controlling drought. This study was to assess agro forestry practices in Sequar Walidba monastery Addiarkay district in North Gondar. Based on the specific objectives, the researcher assessed characteristics, types, benefits and challenges of agro forestry practices as well as the perceptions of Monks and Nuns towards AFPs in the monastery, determination of the existing problems of agro forestry practices in the study area and the benefits of agro forestry practices in the monastery and the community. In this study Monks, Nuns and key community leaders were contacted. The researcher distributed 186 sampling size to the monks, nuns and some community leaders by using qualitative and descriptive research methods. Both structured and Unstructured, open ended and closed ended questionnaires, key informant interview, focus group discussions ,data analysis and physical observations was narrated and summarized. The researcher does not used any model. The results were summarized in a table form. So, that the analysis and results was made to draw conclusions and recommendations included. Major findings of this research: monasteries are home of food value, medicinal values, provide environmental services, socio-economic service and sacred values of AFPs in the monastery This study has suggested some improvements concerning to AFPs in the monastery such as introduction of new marketing system, technical training, dialogues and discussions with community about the local benefits of AFPs and systematic management which fill the knowledge and skill gap on AFPs in the monastery.